Hololive’s presence in the global pop culture landscape has grown from niche phenomenon to household name, with fans cheering on their favorite VTuber talents across continents. But in July 2025, that evolution took a historic leap—straight onto the field of Dodger Stadium..

During the second-ever Hololive Night at Dodger Stadium, VTubers Ninomae Ina’nis, IRyS, and Koseki Bijou took over the jumbotron along side a first-of-its-kind live stream from a major U.S. sports venue. The night also featured themed merch, interactive fan activities, and a first pitch thrown by COVER Corporation CEO, Motoaki Tanigo himself.

We caught up with COVER Corp CEO Motoaki Tanigo following the wildly successful Hololive × Dodgers Night 2025. From ceremonial first pitches to real-time VTuber livestreams in a stadium, Tanigo shared his thoughts on Hololive’s explosive growth and future plans.

Interview with COVER Corporation CEO Motoaki Tanigo

Krystal:

You threw the ceremonial first pitch at the second Hololive Night at Dodger Stadium—how did it feel stepping onto that mound with thousands of fans cheering? Did you prepare/practice before the game?

Tanigo-san:

I’ve thrown the first pitch in Japan before, but doing it at Dodger Stadium was a special experience. I didn’t practice beforehand, but I did get a chance to warm up on the field right before.

Krystal:

This was the first time Hololive VTubers livestreamed from a major U.S. sports stadium. What did it mean for you to witness Hololive talents on the stadium screen?

Tanigo-san:

One of the biggest appeals of VTubers is their interactive engagement with fans. By having them appear on the stadium screen in real time, I believe fans enjoyed it even more than the first collaboration.

Krystal:

Did you get to meet any of the Dodgers players backstage? Any fans of VTubers among them?

Tanigo-san:

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to meet any of the Dodgers players.

Krystal:

The fan response at the stadium was electric—did anything from that night surprise or deeply move you?

Tanigo-san:

After the game, seeing fans run around the field together, having so much fun, made me truly glad we did this collaboration.

Krystal:

Now that Hololive has reached Dodger Stadium, are there any other unexpected venues or collaborations you’re aiming for? Maybe the Super Bowl halftime show or The Olympics next?

Tanigo-san:

First, I’d like to deepen collaborations with gaming events. But eventually, I’d also love to partner with other major sports leagues like the NBA or NFL.

Krystal:

What’s something you still want Hololive to explore that hasn’t been done yet?

Tanigo-san:

I’d love to have our talents appear on American TV shows, music programs, or talk shows. We’ve already done this in Japan, but I want to make it happen in the U.S. too.

Krystal:

With more in-person VTuber events growing popular, anime cafes have also seen an increase outside Japan. Can we expect a Hololive Cafe in the near future?

Tanigo-san:

I’d love to bring the kind of collaboration cafes we’ve done in Japan and Asia to the U.S. And not just cafes—I want to expand partnerships with restaurants and other venues too.

Krystal:

If you were to debut as a Hololive VTuber tomorrow, what would your name, concept, and catchphrase be?

Tanigo-san:

Unfortunately, I don’t have the talent to be an entertainer, so debuting in Hololive would be tough. I’d rather leave those opportunities to younger, more talented people.

Krystal:

Finally, any message you’d like to send to Hololive fans around the world?

Tanigo-san:

I believe VTubers are an incredible tool for young, talented individuals to shine as entertainers. Moving forward, we’ll keep debuting amazing talents that fans will love to support, and we’ll explore new ventures—like TCGs—that bring everyone joy. Thank you for your continued support!

Looking ahead

As Hololive’s reach continues to expand—from streaming platforms to IRL locations—Tanigo’s vision remains rooted in uplifting young talent and reimagining what entertainment can be in the ever evolving, digital age. Whether it’s a late-night talk show debut or a slam dunk VTuber collab with the NBA, fans around the world will be watching—and cheering.

Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!